Wealthy Cabinet minister Oliver Letwin takes in lodgers at his London home

Oliver Letwin, David Cameron's close ally, takes in lodgers at the south
London home which has hit the headlines in the past.

Oliver Letwin, David Cameron's close allyPhoto: PA

By Richard Eden

7:20AM BST 06 May 2012

Is Oliver Letwin feeling the pinch? The former merchant banker has taken in paying lodgers at his home. The south London property came to attention when the Conservative Cabinet Office minister once allowed two strangers to use his lavatory at 5am.

They repaid his generosity by stealing some of his belongings. The close ally of David Cameron retrieved his credit cards after chasing the accomplices in his dressing gown and pyjamas.

Still, at least the rental income will help Letwin avoid begging in the street, which he declared that he would do rather than let his children go to their local comprehensive school.

Shakespeare’s king of pop

Rupert Goold's forthcoming BBC television adaptation of Richard II has been inspired by an unlikely figure.

The celebrated theatre director tells Mandrake that his monarch is “based on Michael Jackson”, with the doubts over his sexuality. “I have even put a pet monkey into my Richard, and we see the king always giving it bits of food,” says Goold. “Rather like Jacko’s chimp.”